Grand Lake, Winter Park restaurateur Dougal ‘gave to everyone he met’

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David “Dougal” Mc Dougal passed away this spring leaving fond memories for those who were lucky enough to share in his life.

Everyone knew him as “Dougal” and his smile and kindness were infectious. Dougal hailed from Texas where his parents were cotton farmers. Each of the five kids worked on the farm picking cotton, and growing “the best tomatoes in Texas.” After a trip through Europe with his brother Dale, Dougal moved to Colorado and worked at the Homestead restaurant as a dishwasher and bus boy for Ralph Uglow. As the years passed Dougal landed in Grand County, and the rest is history.

Dougal’s first restaurant was in Grand lake, Voltaires, an upscale dining establishment at the east end of what used to be the round room on Grand Avenue. He along with Ralph Uglow managed the restaurant at the Grand Lake Lodge after it was refurbished from a fire in the 70s. Soon after, an opportunity presented it’s self to purchase The Mountain Inn restaurant in Grand Lake where Dougal really planted his roots in the community. Dougal was involved in everything from the Rocky Mountain Repertory Theater Board, to organizing morning aerobic classes at the Lariat Saloon.

After several years in Grand Lake, Dougal made the move to Winter Park’s Sliverado II opening his restaurant in lower level of the condo complex. Moving to the east end of the valley opened him up to Winter Park’s handicap program and the Sunshine Kids. His huge heart found a love and passion in these kids, and to those who so generously gave of their time to make dreams come true. He was instrumental in the birth of the “Shinning Stars Foundation” his dedication to the Shinning Stars lives on in Denver. Physically, heartfelt, and monetarily, Dougal gave to everyone he met.

In the mid ‘90s, Dougal opened Dougal’s Catering Service in Denver. Becoming well-known in the Denver Community for fantastic events... catering and donating food, Dougal became personally involved with several nonprofit organizations including Channel 6, Courage Classic, Rocky Mountain PBS, Denver Kids, Women’s Bean Project, Angel Hearts, Urban Peaks, and Shining Stars Foundation. Dougal served on the Colorado Restaurant Board, was a past president of the International Caterers Association, and a Rotarian.

During this time Dougal was lucky enough to meet his life partner Nick who cared for and loved Dougal through their many years together. Dougal is survived by his partner Nick, three sisters, and all of us who loved him. A service will take place at noon in Grand Lake on Sunday, June 22, at Point Park in Dougal’s memory with a gathering of friends at the Daven Haven Lodge following the service.